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Degree Requirements

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This section provides an overview of the requirements you must complete to earn an undergraduate degree at UChicago. The UChicago College curriculum has three main components: general education requirements (known as the Core Curriculum), a major program of study, and general electives. All together, this must equal at least 4200 units of credit. Of total credits earned, at least 3800 units must be earned via course enrollment, as opposed to credit from AP exams or back credit earned through placement.

We recommend familiarizing yourself with this information and the page focusing on Placement and AP Tests. 

The Core Curriculum (General Education)

As the cornerstone of the College’s transformative curriculum, the Core teaches undergraduates how to think critically and how to approach problems from multiple perspectives. The Core encourages students to explore complex ideas and processes, and to discuss them with faculty and peers. The goal is to cultivate in students a range of insights, habits of mind, and scholarly experiences. This expansive engagement not only enriches students’ academic activities and intellectual pursuits, but it fosters an enduring dedication to reflection and learning.

The Core Curriculum consists of:

You should complete the majority of the Core in your first two years at the College. How and when you complete the requirements will depend on your interests and major plans. You will work closely with the College Academic Advising Office (CAAO) and your assigned adviser to determine what works best for you.

The Core curriculum requires 15 courses that are 100 units each, which totals 1500 units. Some students may have AP, IB, or A-Level examination credits that count for the Core and these credits may impact how many Core classes you actually take on campus. Read more about AP, IB, and A-Level credits here.

In addition to the 1500 units for the Core, students will complete a writing requirement and satisfy language competence. 

Major Program of Study

More than a set of course credits, a sound major is an effort to understand the methods and experience of a discipline or interdisciplinary field. Majors complement the breadth of the Core requirements with an opportunity to come to grips with the depth of knowledge and the complexities of developing knowledge in a particular area of inquiry. 

You must complete at least one of the 50+ majors offered in the College at UChicago. They vary in size, from 9 to 19 courses (900-1900 units of credit), and your major might dictate how you need to satisfy some of your foundational Core requirements. You can find details about your prospective major's requirements, including any specific expectations they have for your Core requirements, on their "Program of Study" page in the College Catalog. Watch this video for more information on how to navigate the Catalog.

General Electives

After you complete your Core requirements (for a total of 1500 units), and your major (900-1900 units), you will need additional credits to complete the 4200 minimum units required to graduate. These additional courses are called "General Electives" and can be anything not satisfying a core or major requirement, including courses used for secondary majors, minors, and the language competency requirement. Every student must complete between 800 and 1700 general elective units, depending on the size of their major.